Rescuers were today ploughing through snow in a hunt for ­survivors after an avalanche on Mount Everest killed at least 12 Sherpa guides.

Four others were missing after being swept away at 21,000ft in what experts described as “absolutely the worst disaster” to ever hit the world’s highest peak.

Hundreds of climbers, including Westerners, had gathered at the base camp ahead of their attempt to scale the mountain.

The Sherpas, tough and skilled Nepalese locals, were trying to fix ropes for them when the guides were buried under mounds of snow and ice.

Mountaineer Ed Wardle was due to climb the 29,035ft peak for TV and was at base camp. He said volunteers raced up to help the men.

He added: “One of the most horrific sites I ever saw was the bodies being airlifted on longlines below the helicopters. Some of the Sherpas were working for us.

"The atmosphere is one of shock and grieving. I believe it’s the worst disaster in Everest history, if not all mountaineering.”

He told Channel 4 News: “Everest is extremely dangerous. People come to take a risk. When something like this happens, we have to question what we’re doing.”

Helicopters and rescue teams pulled 12 bodies out as Camp 2 – the most popular for those trying to get to the 29,035ft summit – was wiped out at 6.30am in the area known as “the popcorn field” because of its bulging chunks of ice.

Two injured guides were airlifted to hospitals in the capital of Kathmandu.

Dawa Tashi, who was in intensive care with broken ribs, told his family their path had been unsteady.

The Nepalese government pledged to pay £400 in compensation to the families of the dead.